Keith Mercer passionately believes in the motto ‘We Weren’t Born to Be Average.” This shines through in his presentations by guiding others to find their own greatness within. Keith’s business partners, athletes, and friends have titled him the “mentality expert” in the areas of overcoming adversity and self motivation given his unique perspective on life and ability to help others achieve their own success. Keith has trained over 200 athletes, mentored countless students and adults, and helped students achieve over $10.5 million in college scholarships. Currently Keith’s mentees can be found competing at universities and colleges across the country and at the professional and olympic levels. Keith’s strategies for success work because he helps individuals focus on the mental aspects of success. In his presentations, Keith shares his tips, tools and techniques with audiences on developing a championship mentality, playing your unique role on a larger team, and strategies for incorporating this thinking into everyday life. Keith’s goal is to help others develop their personal life’s journey to greatness. 

As a Black male born and raised in Southeast Washington DC and Capitol Heights, Maryland, Keith made a decision early on in life to achieve success not typical for his upbringing. Keith experienced violence, drugs, racism, and poverty as part of everyday life. Through these experiences he had to develop a mindset for greatness. This “Championship Mentality” helped Keith find his path to success which included winning a Big 8 Championship (1993) and vying for the National Championship in the 1993 Orange Bowl with the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Following his college career, Keith moved to Iowa and began his own business Mercer Elite Athletic Academy where he inspires others by sharing the strategies that helped him overcome obstacles he faced in life. As a professional speaker, coach, and mentor. Keith does not believe in settling for average. Keith wants to help others go beyond average to greatness. Keith’s presentations work to empower and inspire individuals of all ages.

Corporate/Business Associations

“WE WEREN’T BORN TO BE AVERAGE!”

Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

In this keynote, Mentality Expert Keith Mercer, uses first hand experiences and stories to provide teams with the Black perspective. Keith will discuss the power and value of color and diversity in the workplace, and provide strategies for re-training the mind for a more diverse perspective. This presentation will leave participants with a deeper understanding of different cultural perspectives for the purpose of creating a more inclusive workplace to improve culture and productivity.

Developing a Championship Mindset Finding the Power Within

In this presentation, Keith teaches participants about the importance of teamwork, playing your role on a team, the principles of win-win, techniques of mental discipline, perseverance and developing a mindset to help individuals and teams achieve their best. Mentality Expert Keith Mercer, uses his experience as a championship winning Nebraska Cornhusker football player to share stories of how he overcame personal obstacles to learn from who is considered one of the greatest coaches in football history. 

College Students/Athletes

“We Weren’t Born to Be Average!” 

Teamwork: Better Together

Mentality Expert Keith Mercer Keith tailors this keynote to the unique challenges that face collegiate level athletes. Keith uses his experience as a championship winning Nebraska Cornhusker football player to share stories of how he overcame personal obstacles and the strategies he learned from playing for one of the greatest coaches in football history. Keith teaches participants about the importance of teamwork, playing your role on a team, mental discipline, developing a mindset to help individuals and teams achieve their best. Keith will share strategies for team and individual development. 

Your Future,Your Way

In this keynote, Keith shares strategies for dedication and self discipline to help players stay focused on priorities and passions that will move them forward in life. Keith teaches the importance of living in the moment to keep a focus on short term and long term goals and the processes needed to achieve those goals. In this keynote, Keith shares strategies for setting goals and finding what motivates you daily. An emphasis is placed on the importance of education and pursuing your life goals. 

High School Students/Youth Teams

“We Weren’t Born to Be Average!” 

Your Greatest Asset is Your Uniqueness!

In this keynote, Mentality Expert Keith Mercer, uses his experience as a championship winning Nebraska Cornhusker football player to share stories of how he overcame personal obstacles and the strategies he learned from playing for one of the greatest coaches in football history. In this presentation, Keith teaches participants about the importance of teamwork, playing your role on a team, mental discipline, developing a mindset to help individuals and teams achieve their best. Keith will share strategies for team and individual development, Developing a championship mentality, finding the leadership skills inside of you, and will emphasize the importance of education.

Finding the Leader Within

Leaders are built, not born. In this presentation, Keith Mercer teaches the fundamentals of being a strong leader. Keith believes that all good leaders know how to uplift others and he teaches the strategies and techniques to do this. Keith teaches communication in leadership.

PK-12 Educators

“WE WEREN’T BORN TO BE AVERAGE!”

Meet the learner where they are.

In this keynote, Keith will begin to tackle the uncomfortable truths to better understand diversity in the classroom. Keith believes it is critical to know “where the learner is at, so you can meet them where they are, and take them where they need to go.” Understanding these differences and having strategies to break through the cultural “bubble” will work to collectively improve teacher efficacy in the education of all children. In this session, learners will understand the importance of an individual’s given name, building cultural bridges, and will provide opportunities for participant questions.

Better Together. Developing a Championship Team.

This keynote will focus on developing a strong educational team to improve trust, relationship building, and teacher efficacy. In this presentation, Keith teaches participants about the importance of teamwork, playing your role on a team, thinking win-win, and developing a mindset to help individuals and teams achieve their best. Keith Mercer, shares the strategies he gained from his experience as a championship winning Nebraska Cornhusker football player and the strategies Keith learned from who is considered one of the greatest coaches in football history.

Juvenile Courts/youth homes/Detention Centers

“WE WEREN’T BORN TO BE AVERAGE!”

Your Outlook Determines Your Outcome

In this keynote, Keith Mercer shares his personal journey growing up in Washington D.C. surrounded by violence, drugs, and poverty and how he overcame adversity to find a path of success. Keith shares strategies for setting goals, finding your inner strength, managing emotions, making choices that benefit you, developing grit, and creating a positive mindset for success.